HAPPINESS @ FINLAND

I got a wonderful opportunity to visit Finland. As I prepared to leave for Finland, many friends and relatives told me to find out why Finland is a “happy country”.

Finland is widely recognized as one of the happiest countries in the world, consistently topping the World Happiness Report for the eighth consecutive year. This recognition is based on factors like strong social support, access to nature, a robust welfare system, and high levels of trust and equality.  This is what ‘google search’ told me.

As I landed in Helsinki and travelled by road to Hameenlinna, I learnt a few things from my guide. It was a Sunday and she mentioned that most eateries are likely to be closed early. So we made a stop at a gas station ABC where there was an eatery. The road was flanked by hills and greenery on both sides. I learnt that the country had a lot of forests and lakes, especially Hameenlinna. And it was evident. Maybe that is the reason why Finland is referred to as “Land of thousand lakes”. Again Google tells me that there are more than one lakh lakes, big and small.

The next interesting fact is that there are forests. It is estimated that 75% of Finland is forest area. And would you believe that 60% of the forests are privately owned!! Locals take morning and evening walks in the forest. What a privilege !! I can well imagine the calming effect it will have. One legend around the creation of a particular forest was that a wealthy Finnish man wanted to marry his beloved from another European country. So that his bride does not miss home, he had a forest created from trees particular to the lady’s country along with a façade of a fort. Good news is that the forest got created; bad news is that the marriage did not happen.

As I was moving on the streets of Hameenlinna, a particular shop caught my attention. It was named “Second Hand”. The shop being closed, I peered into the display of clothes and saw that the labels were not cheap. I enquired of my guide whether “Second Hand” was a brand. Her answer was that people recycle their clothes. So if you are tired of wearing the same stuff, you can sell it in such shops and also buy from them. So Second Hand is not a brand but a way of life. Similar experience was found in a ceramic item shop in Liitala. You can exchange your heritage crockery and buy new stuff. Finnish people are into recycling.

Not just recycling but also into cycling. Cycling can be seen but not to the extent as could be seen in Netherlands. Cycling pathways have been created and one can see youngsters and not so young persons cycling for exercise or to work.

Education is free in Finland provided you study in Finnish medium of instruction. English medium education is available but one has to pay tuition fees for that. While healthcare is not free, it is kept affordable.

There you are …. Forest walks, lakes to sit by, early closure of work, free education, affordable healthcare – all contributing to happiness.